My latest break....

[AKmud]

My latest bow was a 60" ash board bow for my nephew.  While tillering tonight, it blew...     I was fighting a limb twist that I couldn't explain, but after it blew things made sense.  

There was a strange "soft" grain under a couple good layers.  While I was fighting the twist, it became too weak and broke where this "soft" grain was. Apparently, this "soft" grain was causing the twist as well.  

Is ash known for hidden irregular grains?  I have made 3 good bows from ash so far and haven't run into this issue.  This board looked good, the side grain ran almost the entire 60" uninterrupted with only 2 runoffs (not near the break...).  

I am gluing up the riser on attempt number two tonight so hopefully I can get the next one to work!  I'm looking to get 20# @ 18" for him (9 years old).

[bigcountry]

Good tip to look for.  I have seen irregular rings in osage before.  I can't say it was soft or anything just lighter than others.  My only guess is different years, diffent rain cycles, etc.